What The Midterms Mean To You

Regardless of the results of the election, putting an end to the uncertainty is likely to be a plus for your portfolio.

- Anne Kates Smith

As Americans ahead to the polls this month, it’s probably safe to say that the outcome of the 2018 midterm elections will be among the most closely watched in memory. But, politics aside, what should investors be on the lookout for?

If history is a guide, Americans can expect a power shift in Congress. But history also shows that whether your party is victorious or not, your portfolio is likely to survive the midterms unscathed—and maybe a little ahead. “There’s so much focus on the midterms because of the polarized nature of the electorate,” says Mike Ryan, chief investment officer for the Americas at UBS Global Wealth Management. “Elections matter, but they’re not the only thing and not the most important thing” for stocks, Ryan says.